Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz hopes to play a major role in Paraguay's World Cup campaign despite the a niggling injury that stopped him starting Monday's opening match.

The Blues forward started on the bench in the 1-1 draw with World Cup holders Italy in Cape Town, only coming on as a late substitute.

The injury-plagued forward revealed a minor problem had convinced coach Gerardo Martino to leave him among the replacements but believes he is ready to hit the ground running now.

Asked about his absence from the starting line-up, Santa Cruz said: “After the last friendly I finished with some discomfort in my leg and then, of course, as we have such good players there is no need to risk anything.

“It's been the story with injuries through all my career, not just this season!

“I hope I'll be fully fit for the Slovakia match, I felt OK against Italy when I came on and felt I could have played longer.”